We recently opened a Q&A session with the Text and Translation Departments based on questions you submitted. Here is a handful of those questions along with the answers.
Be looking for our Q&A session with a different department in the coming days.
Q: How is the choice made of which message will be the next to be translated into that language? For example, who chooses which message will be translated into Portuguese next?
A: Brother Joseph picks a list of titles specifically for each language.
Q: There have been several articles mentioning new software that speeds up the translation process. What features does the software have that helps with translation?
A: Many of the processes we use to ensure a translation’s quality are done manually and are very time consuming. Our new software allows us to completely automate some of these processes without compromising quality.
Q: Is the process of turning audio into text done by real time listening to the sermon, or is there any software used to help transcribe?
A: We do not rely on any software tools to transcribe or edit the text for us. During transcription we listen to the tapes with our own, custom-written software, for slowing down the tape, and for repeating words. This greatly assists us in hearing every nuance of each utterance.
Q: My biggest question is capitalization. When talking about Jesus, you would capitalize the word, "Him". Many times, in The Table, certain things are capitalized that become very important details. How do you know when to do that?
A: We follow normal English rules of capitalization except for the sake of reverence. We capitalize all names and titles, nouns and pronouns, etcetera, that relate to Godhead. In addition, we cap the words Bible, Scripture, and the Word, as we hold this only proper in speaking of the majesty and Person of God and His Holy Word.
Q: Did Brother Branham supervise the transcribing of his sermons from audio to text? And if not, how can I trust that the people that have been placed to transcribe his sermons are not biased by their own opinions, as some sermons are not of very good audio quality and might therefore be subject to someone’s interpretation.
A: No, Brother Branham did not supervise the transcribing of his sermons. Brother Joseph Branham has instituted a system of checks and cross-checks to ensure the best possible human transcription. As always, we encourage everyone to refer back to the tape recording as the final authority.
Q: I would like to know more about the text repository, it's purpose, and why it is necessary. I spoke with a brother at one of the Agapao tour meetings who was telling me about it, and I found it very interesting. I am blessed and encouraged by how seriously VGR takes the transcription and translation process.
A: The text repository is a central database of sermons that allows us to shorten the time frame from the start of a translation to the translation being released on our products. This is accomplished by automating procedures that were manual in the past such as quality control checks. Automating these processes allows us to send the file back to the translator a lot faster for his proofing steps. The Text Repository also allows us to be able to post a translation the same day it is complete. In the past this process was much longer due to limitations of the off-the-shelf software we were using.
Q: Why is there a variation in the translations done by other brothers and VGR's?
A: We cannot answer for the other brethren, but here is how we instruct our translators:
- We choose the "essentially literal translation" method, which is intent upon preserving the original language. Even when it cannot be literal, as when translating idioms, it must always remain faithful to the meaning of the original.
- We reject the "dynamic equivalence" method, which is a thought-for-thought translation (and is responsible for the onslaught of "new-translation" Bibles). This is a dangerous approach (which is more commentary than translation), and based on the question, "How would I say this?"
- Instead, the question should ALWAYS be, "How did Brother Branham say this?"
- Our translators cannot assume that Brother Branham made slips of the tongue, or, that he was not thinking clearly, at times, when he spoke.
- The checking, crosschecking, and double cross-checks that we do is to ensure that the words we place in the hands of God's people are as close to the original, and as literal as, by God's grace, we are able to produce.
Q: Are there people at VGR that understand all the translated languages in order to proof the translations?
A: All of our translations are completed by a team of bilingual speakers working together to achieve the best possible quality. The members of these teams normally do not reside in Jeffersonville, but in their local countries where these languages are spoken. Like Brother Branham said, “Let the man take the Message to his own people.”
Q: Why do some languages have so few translations?
A: Every language presents its own difficulties to overcome. It may be due to how long we have had a translation team and sometimes the translator is a volunteer only able to translate part-time.
Q: Who makes the final decision as to what Brother Branham said and meant (text wise)?
A: Brother Joseph has instituted a team-decision process, by which everything is prayerfully decided per his strict requirements.